MISS AMY CASTLES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1021, 30 September 1909, Page 17

MISS AMY CASTLES.

A “REALLY GREAT BEL CANTO” SINGER. Miss Amy Castles, twho has been absent from Australia since February, 1903, is one of several children, all of whom possess more than ordinarily sweet voices. Miss Castles is a native of Bendigo, and in April, 1899, she made her first public appearance in when the critics were enthusiastic. A second concert held the huge Metropolitan Exhibition Building drew 20,000. Mr. J. C. Williamson made her a generous offer •for a concert tour of Australia, but Miss Castles declined. She, howevmade a hurried tour of the Commonwealth. A visit to Europe was inevitable, and in London she sang to S/r Hubert Parry, who declared her a perfect soprano. He offered her three years’ free tuition in the Royal College of Music, but the Australian had set her mind on Paris, and thither she went. Madame Marchesi pronounced her “ a magnificent dramatic soprano,” but three months later declared, “Your voice is not a soprano; it is a mezzo-soprano.” Miss Castles thought differently, and she left Marchesi and went under M. Bouhey. After nine months of training she appeared in London, at a concert in St. James’ Hall, and she was pronounced ,'a great success. Miss Castles then returned to her native country for a tour of 20 concerts under the direction of Mr. J. C. Williamson. The season was soon extended to 30 concerts, and her present tour under J- and N. Tait bids fair to expand in a greater degree. Returning to Paris, she resumed with Bouhey for two years, special attention being devoted to opera and acting. An engagement at the Grand Opera House, Paris, was offered her, but she could not accept. She went again to London, and the next morning after the concert the papers declared her voice had the rare power of Melba and some of the delivery . f Patti. Success was now assured, and •engagements all over Britain and the Continent followed. In Berlin a critic said: “ She is one of the three or four really great bel canto singers we have left.” The Queen-Dowager of Holland presented Miss Castles with a diamond ring when touring ’n that country.